Signs of hope and desperation: Refugees and migrants in Calais and Dunkirk refuse to abandon dreams of England

Refugees and migrants living in the squalid camp known as the Jungle in Calais are ignoring an official order to evacuate part of their camp, hoping a court will halt its demolition. Local authorities said up to 1,000 people out of an estimated total population of 4,200 would have to leave the southern part of the camp by 8pm on 24 February, after which authorities had said they would remove remaining tents, using force if necessary.

However, a French judge has deferred a ruling on the plan to partially demolish the camp, in response to an appeal by activists and residents. "The decision will not be taken today," Judge Valerie Quemener of the administrative court in the regional capital Lille said after hearing arguments from lawyers for both sides. "Judicial time is not the same as media time." She did not say when the ruling would be issued.

Thousands of people fleeing poverty and war in Africa and the Middle East have taken shelter in the makeshift camp after attempts to force their way into Britain via the Channel Tunnel were repelled by French police. They are drawn by friends or relatives in Britain, as well as better job prospects and living conditions. Messages about getting to England are scrawled on many of the shelters in the makeshift camp.

Graffiti reading 'Hello, we came from Darfour. We would like to go to England. Thanks France, but [heart] UK' is seen on a makeshift structure in CalaisDenis Charlet/AFPMen walk past graffiti reading 'Bring the love, stop the war, merci' and 'We just want to go in England please' in the Jungle camp in CalaisPhilippe Huguen/AFPGraffiti reading 'France is dog life, England good life' is seen on a wall in CalaisRob Stothard/Getty ImagesGraffiti referring to the poem associated with the Statue of Liberty is seen on a structure in CalaisPascal Rossignol/ReutersA defaced work by Banksy referring to Steve Jobs being the son of migrants is seen in the Calais JunglePascal Rossignol/Reuters'We have a dream' is written on an embankment below a razor-wire topped fence in CalaisPascal Rossignol/ReutersA message reading 'Where is our life here?' is written a tent in CalaisPascal Rossignol/ReutersGraffiti reading 'Let's go England' is seen on a makeshift structure in CalaisPhilippe Wojazer/ReutersGraffiti reading 'We are humans' is painted on a shop in CalaisDenis Charlet/AFPA man walks past an installation in CalaisDenis Charlet/AFP

In addition to the 4,200 migrants in Calais, up to 2,000 more live in another makeshift camp near Dunkirk, hoping to finish their journeys in Britain. Lashed by harsh winds and pouring rain, the camp in Grande-Synthe, a small town adjacent to the port city of Dunkirk, has been turned into an ocean of mud.

Messages begging to be allowed into England have been daubed on many of the tents and rickety shelters, while residents and activists have hung satirical signs for "David Cameron Street" and "Impasse Marine le Pen" on the trees.

A sign for 'David Cameron Street' is seen in the Grande-Synthe camp near the city of DunkirkPhilippe Huguen/AFPA sign for 'Queen Elizabeth II Street' hangs on a tree at the Grande-Synthe Jungle near DunkirkPascal Rossignol/ReutersA man passes a fake street sign on a tree reading "Impasse Marine Le Pen" at the refugee and migrant camp in Grande-Synthe near DunkirkPhilippe Huguen/AFPA fake street sign referring to the European Commission President is pictured at the Grande-Synthe refugee and migrant camp near DunkirkPhilippe Huguen/AFPGraffiti reading 'Lets go 2 England' is scrawled on a tent in a muddy field at the Grande Synthe camp near DunkirkYves Herman/ReutersGraffiti that reads "England pay now" is seen in a muddy field in the Grande Synthe Jungle near DunkirkYves Herman/Reuters'Welcome to the Jungle' is written on a makeshift structure in the Grande Synthe camp near DunkirkPascal Rossignol/ReutersA sign for 'Hope Street' hangs on a tree in the refugee and migrant camp in Grande-Synthe near DunkirkPhilippe Huguen/AFP

A spokesman for David Cameron claimed thousands of refugees could flock to Britain from France if voters decide to leave the European Union. In what critics said was the start of a "campaign of fear" to try to keep voters in the EU, the spokesman said leaving the bloc could harm an agreement with France, which allows British border guards to make immigration checks there.

At a news conference, the prime minister backed up the message by saying the agreement, which puts Britain's border inside France such as at the northern port town of Calais, was a good deal for Britain and one he would fight to keep. "If ... we can stay in a reformed Europe, you know what you get," he said. "You know that the borders stay in Calais, you know that we have a seat determining the rules when it comes to the future of Europe, you know we have that vital information whether it's about terrorists or criminals traveling around Europe because we are part of those organisations."

Those campaigning to leave said the latest warning had been choreographed to instill fear in voters. "The prime minister is now resorting to scaremongering," said Arron Banks, the co-founder of Leave.EU, in a statement. "The agreement we have to process migrants in Calais is with France, not the EU. There is no reason for this to change on leaving the EU."